I’m not sure when vision boards became widely popularized, but before the new year comes, we hear and see posts about what people want to manifest for the new year. I’ll admit I found myself on occasion creating my vision for the new year and then when December rolled around not much of what I envisioned happened. I’m not completely against vision boards, but whose vision are you casting? Is it your own or is it inspired by God? We don’t always know what God has in store for us, but we can know and trust there is a plan. So before you make another vision board, there are a couple of principles I want to share with you from the book of Proverbs that speak to this very situation.
One whose heart is corrupt does not prosper
Have you ever experienced a time when you wanted something so bad and never received it? When you belong to God, he will sometimes not allow certain things to happen in your life for your own protection. As I look back on my own life, in my past, there were times when I wanted something for the wrong reasons. Proverbs 20:21(NIV) says, “An inheritance claimed too soon will not be blessed at the end”. The times I did receive what I wanted after desiring it badly ended up breaking my heart. Self-examination is needed to ask yourself why you want the things you’re desiring. Proverbs 20:5 (NIV) says, “The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out”. You will need insight to have an understanding of your heart’s purposes.
It’s already been worked out
Proverbs 16:4 (NIV) says, “The Lord works out everything to its proper end – even the wicked for a day of disaster”. God has already determined a beginning, middle, and end for your life. If we aren’t in connection with the father, we can miss out on the things he has planned for our lives. When we chase after our own vision we can end up in situations that weren’t intended in his original plan for our lives. You can waste years of your life chasing after a relationship with a person that’s not for you or seeking out a new career when you’ve been called to another vocation or ministry. The hurt and pain we experience from bad decisions make us or break us. Either we repent and get back on track with God or we stray away further away into the world.
God has all the answers for your life
Seeking God for how we are to live our lives is the only way to live. Put God in charge of the plans for your life. Proverbs 16:3 (NIV) says, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” Once we decide to truly surrender our way for God’s way, life begins. Seeking God looks like worship, prayer, reading scripture, and fasting. It will take an intentional effort to seek God. If taking time out of your day to seek God seems impractical you need a mindset shift. All throughout the day we put in time in other areas of life. Social media, streaming apps, and other people can take up so much of our time if we allow it to. Make time for your first true love.
I went my own way for years. After many mistakes, heartbreaks, and divorce, I’ve learned to slowly give up what I had in mind for what God has in store. Seek godly wisdom, instruction, and insight for a life on the path God has designed for your life. The good news is that God can heal you from your broken state and use you for his glory, the way he originally intended. Put all your hope and trust in God because he is in control and his way is best.
